Thanks for all the imput! I can see from all that carry alot of weight that you all say it makes a big difference. I won't be worrying about carrying that kind of weight!!! Lucky I can still get help from family members. Just looking for more stability, up,down, and side tracking. Most weight 20 to 25lbs counting the rifle. And it seems they will definitely be an asset to own.


Take care, Willie

It's not just weight, it's the angle. Particularly when coming down a steep hill, they can take a lot of strain off your knees.

Another reason is to enable you to stay on your feet. 2 days of rain followed by a cold front and a trail full of icy rocks and about 4 thousand vertical feet of gain and loss can be a tad dicey, even with microspikes.

+1 ... Just started using trekking poles last year. Did all of my practice hikes with two poles. So, when it came time to hit the mountains for elk, using two poles felt natural. Another vote for Black Diamond with Flick Locks...

+10 on all the positive posts. Trekking poles are one of the top outdoor products I've used in 50 years. right there with quality boots. The load they take off and the increased stability in rough country must be felt to be believed. I have a $50 Cabela's set and they have been through hell and back. I don't plan to be without them.

Double the above if you're over 45 ...

Did it for over 20years without good poles, just a branch every so often. Poles kick ass. Wish I'd had known how helpful they were years ago. Good ones (carbon $$) are necessary, if you don't want to bust them, and be able to quickly adjust for the incline. Also, light is better as who wants to carry otherwise useless crap around..

Love my Stoney Point Monopods.

http://www.stoneypoint.com/products/mp_explorer_monopod.html

They have been very reliable. Tough. usually use two to pack into hunting area. Then one supports my shelter qand the other one goes hunting and doubles as a shooting and binocular rest.

Never met anyone yet that can out glass me. Adjust Mono Pod to desired height while sitting to glass. Y yoke make an excellent bino rest. One glassed for 6 hrs and produced a dandy 180+ inch Muley Buck. Would have never seen him hqad I not been so comfotable glassing.

Even the use of just one hiking staff is a tremondous help packing out meat. Provides excellent ballance and rest ability.

I never hunt without at least one. And two always go on overnight trips.

saved my ass many a time hiking on loose shale, wet branches and rocks, icy conditions.

Shot a buck in MT this year deep down in a big break. By the time I got him boned out rain and snow moved in and getting dark. Those who hunt the MT breaks know how slick they get in the rain. BD hiking poles helped me pack that buck out of the slick and wet breaks.

Greenhorn, Is that a Stone Glacier pack that goat is in?

I've posted this pic before for other reasons, but it also applies to poles. Coming off that steep thing, a pole is invaluable for several reasons...not the least of which is that white lead llama. He has a habit of hanging his head over my shoulder and pushing me coming down. I use the pole to whack him on the legs to back him off.